One of the soldiers, a Chadian, has reportedly succumbed to his wounds.

CAR, a landlocked, mineral-rich country, descended into anarchy in March, when Seleka rebels – said to be mostly Muslims – ousted Christian president François Bozize, who had come to power in a 2003 coup.

The months since have seen the emergence of self-styled Christian militias, known as the “anti-balaka.”

According to UN estimates, more than 400,000 people – nearly ten percent of the country’s 4.6 million-strong population – have abandoned their homes as a result of the violence.